Topic: Newsweek

A Prayer for Obama gains national notice

By Rev. Charles Moreland | July 6, 2008 |

There are benefits in developing our spiritual traits that we hold within. One way to blossom spiritually is through prayer and meditation. A ritual for me is to have a time of spiritual renewal in the morning before leaving for the athletic club. This habit developed in my first parish at Craig, Missouri, after seminary. I still do it 50 years later.

The subject of prayer and meditation was brought to my consciousness through a devotional in The Upper Room, and an article in Newsweek Magazine (1/9/08). In the latter, reference was made to James 5:1, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months and he prayed again and the heaven gave him rain and the earth produced its fruit.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics, Spirituality | 1 Comment »

Making peace with myself

By Rev. Charles Moreland | June 11, 2008 |

I struggled with grief recently as a close friend, Georgia, who worked with me in the last election, died suddenly. She ignited my commitment to be active in the community.

Also I regret the passing this spring of William F. Buckley, world famous conservative. Although I didn’t know him, as a personal friend as I did Georgia, his contributions impressed me. Though at opposite ends on certain controversial issues, still I saw his significance. It’s easy as I review his values to find plenty of his views to denounce, reject and object to, but he brought a measure of sanity to the conservative movement where he was a prophetic voice.

As I read about his life, his principles, his prejudices, his influence for good in his eulogies, a question rises from my subconscious: What will people say about me upon my passing? There I go, trying to avoid saying that five-letter word: death. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Issues, Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments

Meditation is achievement

By Rev. Charles Moreland | June 8, 2008 |

In an  issue of Newsweek arrives on Tuesday or Wednesday, I peruse the contents and give priority to articles and stories that appeal to me at the moment. After that, I read it from cover to cover, starting at page 1. Recently the story No Buddha Required captured my attention and lead the competition as to what i would read first.

Rembrandt’s “Philosopher in Meditation”

No Buddha Required is by no means a critical, derogatory or fault-finding expose of Buddhism. Being the international city Clarksville is, there are believers in this world religion among us. I know several practicing Buddhists, productive citizens who have a depth of compassion. Their teachings are respectful of all God’s creatures. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments

Animal care: A joy and a responsibility

By Rev. Charles Moreland | December 9, 2007 |

What do I, an “immigrant” from St. Louis, appreciate about Clarksville? As the song says, “Let me count the ways…”

On my list of top activities in this city are the Roxy Theatre, Loaves and Fishes, AARP, movie theaters, APSU and last but not least, the Clarksville Athletic Club. They ignite a passion for this community and give the momentum for purposeful living.

But beyond these organizations serving humans, I appreciate the compassion of this community, especially as shown in the care of our pets; we have a kinship and empathy for animals. By our measure of intelligence, they may come up short, but animals have their own wonderful endowments. They deserve our appreciation and respect.

In Missouri, our dogs and cats were more utilitarian than just pets. In the Ozarks our dogs were commonly chained in the back yard until it was squirrel or rabbit hunting season and our cats were assigned to the barn as mouse catchers. Thankfully, our improved understanding and broadened compassion now includes animals. Our perspective of these living beings is part of a changing pattern for community and society in general. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Spirituality | No Comments